Wisconsin nurse under investigation for injuries to babies allegedly fired by UW hospital

A nurse suspended from Madison, Wis.-based UnityPoint Health-Meriter amid unexplained injuries to newborns was also allegedly let go from a previous nursing role at Madison-based UW Hospital, according to WAOW Newsline 9.

UW Hospital spokesperson Toni Morrissey told WAOW the nurse worked in a residency program at the hospital from July to October 2003, but declined to comment on his departure from the hospital. However, a source close to the situation said the nurse claimed he was fired over what he said was absenteeism, according to WAOW.

Meriter suspended the nurse Feb. 9 after five babies in the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit suffered various unexplained injuries, ranging from bruises to a skull fracture, since April 2017.

Due to the ongoing investigation into the nurse's actions, Meriter spokesperson Jessika Kasten told WAOW she is unable to comment on whether the hospital knew the nurse was previously fired.

Federal officials said two infant bruising events in February prompted Meriter officials to look at past incidents for any connection. Officials discovered the nurse had cared for all of the babies who experienced injuries.